Small business websites widely seen as most effective marketing technology

Online marketing service provider Constant Contact conducted a survey in October 2012 of 1,305 small businesses and nonprofits from its customer base to see how different tactics and channels balanced customer acquisition with customer retention.

Respondents were most likely to say that their website struck an effective balance: 77% said the site was well-suited both to engaging existing customers and attracting new ones. A majority of respondents felt similarly about their blog (69% said it was effective at both tasks) and their social media marketing efforts (60%).

It’s not all about the economy though. Dollar General had to be smart in its expansion strategy too — after all, Walmart is its biggest competitor, and the world’s largest retailer has had similar success recently.

It thrives on hitting markets that Walmart hasn’t taken over, such as small towns that can’t support one of Walmart’s massive big box stores. It also competes with the other big dollar store chains, like Family Dollar. The hybrid concept — somewhere between a giant discounter and a small dollar store — has worked admirably.

Digital Consigliere

Dr. Augustine Fou is Digital Consigliere to marketing executives, advising them on digital strategy and Unified Marketing(tm). Dr Fou has over 17 years of in-the-trenches, hands-on experience, which enables him to provide objective, in-depth assessments of their current marketing programs and recommendations for improving business impact and ROI using digital insights.